An Infinity of Stars - SF Smackdown

Salt Dust

The final entry in the SF smackdown. A SF Western based on the four pictures in the slideshow on the right. 

Salt Dust

His polarised lenses were nearly opaque with the glare from the harsh landscape around him as he rode towards the town. The bitter afternoon light was magnified almost beyond tolerance by the high albedo of the salt flats, and it was with some relief that he approached the town and the shelter it promised.

The lengthening shadow of his reptilian mount stretched towards the main street of the town, such as it was. Poorly maintained wooden buildings gave a shanty-like appearance to the mining settlement and didn't fill him with much confidence. But, he had little choice. A whisper of chance had sent him this way and he had to explore the possibility that there was a tiny truth buried in the tale, no matter how small.

As he approached the faded 'Saltflats City' sign, he checked his guns, the blaster on his hip and rifle nestled under his saddle both showing a full charge. He rolled up the solar panels lying across the flanks of the raptor and stowed them in his saddle roll, looking back up from his task as a child dashed in front of the lizard.

"Woah! Steady boy. Down Arthur, down. Chill out you dopey skink, it's just a child!"

As the raptor flashed his warning crests and hissed, he hauled on the reins to control it, desperately seeking to turn the powerful lizard away from the much smaller human. Once the beast was calmed he dismounted and walked over to the prone form, removing his travel cloak from his face. "Stay," he commanded and the lizard sank to its haunches, huffing its way to the dusty ground.

"Sorry kid, you just scared him is all, he wouldn't hurt you." He reached out to offer a hand and stopped, embarrassed, and withdrew the proffered arm. "Sorry kid," he muttered gruffly. "You'd better get yourself home."

"What the hell are you doing?"

Intent on the child, he hadn't heard the woman approach and he whirled at the sound of her voice, his blaster leaping into his hand as she ran toward him.

She ignored the gun and reached for the child, continuing on with her diatribe as she pulled the girl toward her. "Why the hell didn't you help her up? Are you too good to help a child? You disgust me. You gunslingers are all the same, you..."

Her voice trailed off as she got a full view of his face. Red welts split the pale skin and trailed away under his clothes, and she stuttered an apology.

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't know you were one of the Chosen..."

"No need to apologise ma'am." The man replaced his blaster in its holster and doffed his hat. He removed the sunglasses, crinkling his eyes against the sun, his colourless orbs assessing her as she helped the child to its feet.

"I apologise for scaring your daughter and indeed yourself. I'm not contagious ma'am, but as I went to help her I realised I might scare her even more with my appearance than Arthur here had by his warning display."

"You wouldn't have scared her sir. Ellie has seen the results of your condition before. Her father was..." Her voice trailed off again.

"I'm sorry ma'am. I will leave you to your memories and your daughter. Sorry to disturb you."

As she watched, he mounted the raptor and clicked his tongue. The lizard lurched to its feet, its bipedal gait sure and swift. He replaced his sunglasses, and tipped his hat to her. "Ma'am..."

"Wait!" The little girl called out to him as he turned away. "What's your name?"

The man turned in his saddle and smiled, a bitter twist to his lips. "They call me Black, but you can call me Tain. Nice to meet you Ellie and I'm glad you're okay."